Vive La Différence – A Weekend by the Coast

Hello friends!

It’s good to be back! Starting the new year with our first dose of vive la différence in 2013! Yay!

Today we have another boy. Yep, it’s true. Another one has come out of the woodworks. Talking of wood, of grey, of design, today’s guest is no other than the delectable and king of aesthetics, mr. Gerard McGuickin, affectionately termed by me as mr. grey. Gerard is the author of walnutgreydesign, ‘the discerning design blog! If you want a challenging and stimulating read with interesting points of views and slick images, Gerard is your man!

For new readers:

The concept: each month I will invite one blogger. They will create and showcase one image/vignette. There are 20 themes and 20 objects for my guest to choose from. They choose 1 theme and up to 3 objects. I will then create an image/vignette based on their choice. Everyone has free reign on how to create the image. It can be simple photography, a drawing, a collage, a hand-painted image, a styled table top… the choice is yours! The fun part is that you, my readers, will see 2 versions inspired by the same subject matter. There is no right or wrong. There’s just ‘different’.

Let’s kick this off: Gerard chose the theme: a weekend by the coast with the following objects: glass ware, lamps, toys

“I pictured this weekend in an idyllic waterside setting, a remote place on the Danish coastline. My residence is modern, constructed from glass and concrete. It faces the sea in the west, the extensive glass facade framing the ice blue water, shimmering clear and crisp in the strong winter sun.

The weekend is only to luxuriate and unwind, to enjoy the solitude and quiet harmony. My dwelling’s interior is exquisite, an aesthetic haven filled with contemporary Nordic design (and an Eames House Bird). My pleasure’s abound, showing great attention to detail: a spicy red wine decanted from an attractive wine breather, filling an elegant and perfect glass; warm light from beautiful lamps, casting just enough glow in which to read a new Danish thriller; discerningly chosen toys keeping me company, their iconic forms ever catching my eye.

Blissful, aware only of my surroundings, at peace. My weekend by the coast.”

Image credits clockwise from top left: Archipelago House © Tham & Videgård Arkitekter; Little barn owl by Toikka, © Iittala Group; Vitra Eames House Bird; Milk Lamp for &Tradition; Kristian Vedel BIRD by ARCHITECTMADE; Kay Bojesen Dog, walnut, Rosendahl; TriBeCa edition lamp © Søren Rose Studio; Louis Poulsen AJ Table © Targetti Poulsen; Vipp Glass 15CL & 33CL © Vipp; Iittala Essence Red Wine 45 cl © Iittala Group; NORM Wine Breather for Menu © NORM.

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“My coastal weekend must, of course, be spend in my beloved coté d’azur! My weekend is full of blue sea, blazing sunshine and all the colours this wonderful region offers us. There are boats, yachts, plenty of green trees and delicious food. Grilled fish is on the menu daily for me and swimming can be done well into the evening, while watching the sunset. If you’re lucky enough to know someone with a yacht, then hop over to my favourite beach: plage mala!

I spent most the time outdoors but it’s always wonderful to come back to the boutique hotel and sit out in their wonderful wild garden. Hanging you will find a row of different shaped and different numbered glass teapots all lit up (lamps) My duck, flamingo and goose (toys) are joining the weekend and recharging some batteries. There is no better place to wear my ring than in glitzy south of france (glass ware).”

Collage: all photographs taken by me. The teapot is hanging in wholefoods, Piccadilly, the fish buttons have been sewn on. The sparkling stickers were bought many years ago. The red material is part of a christmas packaging. Gold and pink elasticated Gütermann threads used for stitching. Flamingo and goose my own (bought from paul smith shop many years ago). The original rubber duck is mine and can be bought on Ebay and some selected retailers. The blue fabric (numbers) is part of my fabric collection.

Well, I don’t know about you, but I could do with such a weekend right now:) I want to thank Gerard for being generous with his time and delighting us with his weekend by the coast.

For those who haven’t come forward yet, please feel free to join in! Vive la différence is back on monday 4th february.

Have a great start to the week and i shall see you back here on thursday. Btw, the 3BOOKS giveaway is still open until sunday.